WALES SCRUM-HALF KIERAN HARDY NEEDS KNEE SURGERY, FACES MONTHS OUT

Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Kieran Hardy faces knee surgery and months on the sidelines, the Ospreys have confirmed. Hardy was helped from the field in pain during the first half of Ospreys' 38-31 win over Dragons on Friday night, and was sent for scans afterwards. Ospreys transition coach Richard Kelly said on Tuesday that Hardy had suffered a serious injury requiring surgery. Kelly said the club would not know the exact recovery timeline until after the operation, but expected it to run to months rather than weeks.

Hardy, a 32-cap international, had been a standout performer for Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship. He had been expected to retain his place in Steve Tandy's Wales squad for the November Tests, including the fixture against Japan in Cardiff on 7 November. During the 2026 Six Nations, Hardy served as back-up to first-choice scrum-half Tomos Williams, featuring in the matchday squad for all five games and replacing him in three. Kelly said Hardy had been "pretty down" since Saturday's match awaiting his scan results, and said he now had clarity about the surgery but remained disappointed.

The injury means Hardy will miss the autumn Tests and is considered a doubt for next year's Six Nations. Ospreys team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams could benefit from the vacancy at scrum-half. The setback is also likely to increase calls for Gareth Davies to reverse his retirement from international rugby, after he helped inspire a Scarlets comeback from 21-7 down to beat Benetton at the weekend. Former Wales hooker Scott Baldwin said Davies should play at next year's Rugby World Cup. Kelly said Ospreys hoped Hardy would have a good rehabilitation and return to his previous form.